Education Pipe-Line Program Overview

MISSION: To actively involve high potential minority students in science, research and training to promote awareness of health disparity and to create a support system that facilitates college readiness and interest in pursuing healthcare careers

The University of South Alabama Center for Healthy Communities Center of Excellence (COE) sponsors Pipe-Line Programs to encourage minority students from underserved communities to enter career paths already committed to the reduction of health disparities.

African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups are significantly underrepresented in the field of biomedical research. This disparity is even more evident among the research-based faculty of universities, non-profit institutions, and commercial research entities than it is for practicing physicians, nurses, and dentists. To address this disparity, the Center of Excellence has developed a research education link aimed at enhancing the research experience and skills of early career African American and Hispanic biomedical researchers. This program is the Undergraduate Research Program (UGRP).

A second means of addressing the disparities is to develop a new generation of health care providers through the Academic Pipe-Line. This Pipe-line links two separate but complementary programs: S.T.A.R.S. (Student Training for Academic Reinforcement in the Sciences) and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. (Special Training to Raise Interest and Prepare for Entry into the Sciences) The MISSION of the S.T.A.R.S. and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. Program is: to engage gifted minority students in science, research and training to promote awareness of health disparity and to create a support system that facilitates college readiness and interest in pursuing careers in the health sciences. These programs are aimed at younger potential scientists. S.T.A.R.S. targets rising high school juniors and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. targets rising high school seniors. The Program includes four-week and six-week academic enrichment sessions conducted over consecutive summers (designated Phases I and II), respectively, and is aimed at advancing their knowledge-base in the sciences through active team-based learning. One of the goals is to develop skills in critical reading, thinking, and analysis in preparation for college pre-health pursuits.

The last phase, (Phase III), in the high school academic pipeline is SHADOWS. This level provides an opportunity for students who have successfully completed S.T.A.R.S and S.T.R.I.P.E.S. to experience daily activities in a healthcare facility. Additionally, they are required to submit college applications, complete with financial aid, and conduct an exhaustive scholarship search prior to the end of this phase. These students earn a stipend while working a twenty-hour work week over a six week period.

For more information about the PIPE-LINE Programs please contact Ms. Mary Williams.